Girls to get morning after pill via text message

The project will allow pupils at four schools in Oxford and two in Banbury to ask for emergency contraception from their school nurse.

It will be available to girls from the age of 11 and parents will not automatically be informed of requests.

Child protection staff will step in if girls aged between 11 and 13 use the service, which is being introduced in July by Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust.

Gill Frances, chair of the Teenage Pregnancy Independent Advisory Group, said: "We welcome any new initiative which supports young people to take responsibility for their sexual health.

"Teenagers, like adults, can make mistakes, and taking emergency contraception after unprotected sex is much better than doing nothing and running the risk of an unintended pregnancy.

"The scheme also puts young people in touch with a nurse who will offer advice and support for the future."